Slide 1
“Grow Your Own”
Scholarship Program Informational Presentation
Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired / Iowa Braille School
Slide 2
Title: Why is this being offered?
Grow Your Own was created to encourage people to enter the fields of:
Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)
Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist
Dual TVI/O&M
Slide 3
Title: Who can take advantage of this program?
Grow Your Own is designed for almost anyone committed to completing a qualified training program. It offers:
Individualized financial support
Accessible to people at various stages of their educations and careers
Slide 4
Title: How can I determine if this is right for me?
Review license requirements in Iowa to determine what training you require. This can be done on the Iowa Board of Education Examiners (BOEE) website:
Slide 5
Title: How can I determine if this is right for me?
Once on the BOEE website:
For TVI License Requirements:
Click “Endorsements”
Click “Teacher”
Click “Special Education”
Click “Visually Disabled”
OR…
For O&M License Requirements:
Click “Endorsements”
Click “Other”
Click “Professional Service License”
Click “Orientation and Mobility”
Slide 6
Title: How can I determine if this is right for me?
Find a training program:
For TVI, consider the University of Nebraska Lincoln
Slide 8
Title: How can I determine if this is right for me?
Visit AER’s website to find other programs across the country:
By College or University Name:
By State:
Slide 9
Title: What is the selection process?
Candidates will be selected based on:
Educational needs of Iowa students
Specific field (TVI/O&M)
Geographic location (flexibility to relocate)
Credentials
Length of time to complete training program
Slide 10
Title: What does the program offer?
Those selected for the scholarship will be allowed up to a maximum of $10,000 in tuition and associated costs:
Prior to internship/student teaching:
75% of tuition and fees per semester
Must attain minimum of “C” for undergraduate courses or “B” for graduate courses to remain in the scholarship program
Slide 11
Title: What does the program offer?
During Internship/Student Teaching :
75% of tuition and fees per semester
May apply for stipend to cover additional costs of completing education
Stipend requests based on balance of remaining maximum benefit and considered on case-by-case basis
Slide 12
Title: What else?
Following program completion:
3-year minimum employment commitment
Competitive salary
Comprehensive benefit package
Access to mentors
Rewarding career in the field of vision services
Slide 13
Title: How do I apply?
Application Deadline: April 30, 2015
Required Application Materials:
Letter of interest, including your proposed plan of study
Application form
Copies of transcripts
Submit Application Materials to:
Justin Ruegg, Director of Human Resources
Iowa Braille School
1002 G Avenue
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 472-5221, ext. 1226